An external hard drive is a portable data storage device that can be attached to a computer via USB port or wirelessly. It provides additional storage space for computer files, allowing you to access, save, or back up files more easily. External hard drives commonly range from 500GB to 2TB of storage capacity.
This article examines the typical size of 1TB for an external hard drive and whether that provides adequate storage for most users. There are several factors to consider in determining if 1TB is sufficient, including typical file sizes, intended use cases, anticipated number of files to be stored, and future storage needs and growth.
Typical File Sizes
Photos, videos, documents and other files come in a wide range of sizes. Here are some typical file sizes to expect:
Photos: The average photo taken with a smartphone is around 2-5MB. Higher resolution photos from DSLR cameras are much larger, often 10MB or more for a single image. Older photos may be smaller, under 1MB each. Over time, average photo sizes have increased as megapixels and image quality improves [1].
Videos: Standard definition videos are 1-2GB per hour, while HD videos are about 3-5GB per hour. 4K video can be 20GB per hour or higher. As with photos, video file sizes have grown exponentially as resolutions and frame rates improve [2].
Documents: Text documents are quite small, from a few KB for a plain .txt file up to 2-3MB for an average Word doc. PDF files tend to be larger, around 2-5MB on average if they contain some images.
Overall, newer files at higher resolutions tend to be much larger in size compared to older, standard definition files. A few 4K videos could quickly fill up a 1TB hard drive.
Use Cases
External hard drives are commonly used for three main purposes: backup, storage, and transferring files.
For backup, external drives provide a way to create copies of important files in case the originals get lost or damaged. Backups allow you to restore your data if something happens to your main device. External drives excel at backup thanks to their portability and storage capacities.
For storage, external hard drives offer a simple way to expand the capacity of your computer or other devices. If your main hard drive is getting full, adding an external drive creates more space for files such as documents, photos, videos, and games. Portable external drives allow this extra storage to be accessed from multiple devices via USB or other connections.
For transferring files, external drives offer an easy way to move large amounts of data between devices. Their portable nature allows you to physically transport the drive. And fast transfer speeds make it easy to copy files to and from different computers. This provides a convenient way to share and access files on the go.
Number of Files
On average, most personal computer users have between 5,000-15,000 files stored across their devices, according to research. This includes documents, photos, videos, music, and other personal files. For external hard drives used primarily for backup purposes, the number of files stored can be much higher, easily in the range of 50,000 to 100,000 files.
When considering the number of files that will be stored on an external hard drive, it’s important to think about both current storage needs and future growth. Storage requirements tend to increase over time as users accumulate more files. So while 1TB may seem sufficient right now, it’s best to leave room for expansion.
It’s also worth considering the types of files you will store. For example, high resolution photos and video files take up much more space than documents or music. A user storing thousands of RAW photo files will fill up 1TB faster than someone with mostly Office documents.
Overall, for a general external backup drive used by an average PC user, 1TB should provide adequate storage space for between 10,000-20,000 mixed files. But those storing large multimedia collections may want to consider 2TB or higher capacity drives.
Future Growth
It’s important to consider how storage needs tend to increase over time when determining if 1 TB is enough for an external hard drive. According to research from Statista, the global data storage market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 17.8% between 2023-2030, reaching over $777 billion by 2030 [1]. There are several factors driving this rapid growth:
First, new devices and media formats are created each year, many of which produce larger file sizes than older formats. For example, 4K video files take up much more space than 1080p files. As consumers continue to adopt new technologies like 4K TVs, 8K TVs, high-resolution cameras, etc. their storage needs will continue to increase.
Additionally, higher resolution images, video, and audio files take up more storage space. A 1080p video file is much larger than a 720p file of the same length. As video and image resolutions get higher over time with new technology, the storage space required increases as well. This means 1 TB may not be enough storage in just a few years.
It’s clear that storage needs tend to grow over time as new devices and higher resolution media drive larger file sizes. When considering an external hard drive purchase, it’s important to think about likely future use and growth to determine if 1 TB will remain sufficient.
Drive Formats
When it comes to external hard drives, there are two main types of drives: traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid state drives (SSDs). The main differences between HDDs and SSDs come down to speed, durability, price, and maximum capacity.
HDDs have moving parts called platters and a read/write head to access data. This makes them slower, less durable, and more prone to failure from shock damage compared to SSDs. However, HDDs are significantly cheaper per gigabyte of storage. For example, a 2TB HDD costs around $50 while a 2TB SSD costs around $200 (Source). HDDs also offer much higher maximum capacities, with 10TB+ drives available.
SSDs have no moving parts and instead store data on flash memory chips. This makes SSDs much faster for accessing and transferring files. SSDs are also more durable and resistant to damage from drops or vibration. However, the cost per gigabyte is far higher for SSDs. The maximum capacities for external SSDs currently top out around 4TB (Source).
For an external drive, if maximum capacity and lowest cost are the priorities, an HDD is likely the better choice. But for improved speed and durability, an SSD may be worth the premium cost.
Recommendations
For most users, 1TB is a good starting point for an external hard drive. This capacity provides enough storage for typical uses like:
- Backing up your computer’s internal drive
- Storing photos, videos, and music
- Transporting files between devices or locations
According to Ebuyer, the average non-professional user will find 1TB adequate for their needs.
However, for power users who work with large media files, gamers with big game libraries, or anyone wanting long-term archival storage, a 1TB drive may fill up faster. In these cases, a 2-4TB drive allows more room for growth.
It’s also important to consider how storage needs may increase over the next 3-5 years. As file sizes get larger with higher resolution content, you’ll need more space. So when in doubt, it doesn’t hurt to get a larger drive if your budget allows.
Portable SSDs are another excellent option if speed is essential. While more expensive per gigabyte, their fast transfer rates can improve workflow. Top choices like the Samsung T7 SSD offer 1-2TB of storage.
In summary, 1TB is a versatile starting point for most users, but consider larger drives or SSDs if you need extra capacity and speed.
Alternatives
If 1TB is not enough storage space, there are alternatives to traditional external hard drives that you may want to consider, like cloud storage services.
With cloud storage services like Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive or Apple iCloud, you can store your files remotely on servers accessed over the internet. This gives you access to virtually unlimited storage space that can scale with your needs.
Some key advantages of cloud storage compared to external hard drives include:
- Access your files anywhere with an internet connection, across all your devices.
- Built-in file syncing and automatic backups.
- Collaboration features for sharing files.
- Data redundancy across multiple secure servers.
- No need to worry about hardware failures, loss or theft.
However, there are also some downsides to weigh:
- Monthly or annual subscription fees.
- Limited access to files when offline.
- Less physical control over your data.
- Potential privacy and security concerns.
- Uploading large amounts of data can be slow.
Overall, cloud storage provides more flexibility and scalability compared to fixed external hard drive storage. But you may prefer keeping highly sensitive or large files offline on external drives. The best solution is often using a combination of both cloud and local external storage.
Summary
When considering if 1TB is enough for an external hard drive, we looked at several factors related to storage needs including:
– Typical file sizes of photos, videos, documents etc.
– Different use cases like personal storage vs. professional use
– Estimating current and future storage needs based on number of files
– How storage requirements tend to grow over time as file sizes and collections increase
– Drive formats like HDD vs SSD and their cost per TB
Given typical media file sizes today and the likelihood of growing storage needs over the lifetime of a drive, 1TB is generally only enough for personal use cases focused on documents and photos. For professional use or storing substantial video collections, 2-4TB is more realistic for meeting needs over multiple years. While HDDs provide cheaper storage per TB, SSDs are faster and more reliable if budget allows. Weighing these factors, 2TB is a recommended minimum for most external drive purchases, with 4TB or more being ideal for long term storage and backup.
Conclusions
When considering if 1TB is enough for an external hard drive, it really comes down to your specific needs and use case. For most general home users who need expanded storage for documents, photos, videos and music, 1TB should be plenty. The average person likely won’t fill up this amount of space too quickly.
However, gamers, media professionals and those working with very large files may find 1TB limiting relatively quickly. As file sizes continue to increase, especially for high resolution photos, videos and games, storage needs are also growing. While 1TB seems spacious now, it may feel cramped in just a couple years.
Overall, for typical home use, 1TB is probably enough external storage for the next few years. But for power users, it’s better to consider larger 2-4TB options to allow room for growth. Going bigger than your current needs will help future-proof your purchase. And external hard drive prices continue to decline, making larger capacities more affordable.